Success Story | Scott Hand's Passive House - A Model for Sustainable Design in Cincinnati
Scott Hand’s Passive House – A Model for Sustainable Design in Cincinnati
At the forefront of Cincinnati’s sustainable building movement is Scott Hand, Principal Architect at Trilobite Design. After acquiring property from the Landbank, Scott recently completed the city’s first certified Passive House, a groundbreaking project that demonstrates how smart, energy-efficient design can help homeowners reduce their environmental footprint while staying comfortable year-round.
The Vision: A Smart, Sustainable Home
The core concept behind the Passive House is simple yet revolutionary: build a home that is extremely well-insulated and airtight to reduce energy consumption. According to Scott, “The Passive House concept is about building as well-insulated and as airtight of a ‘dumb box’ as you possibly can. Once you’ve done that, it takes way less energy to heat and cool it.”
The result is a home that retains its temperature naturally, without the need for constant heating or cooling. This design strategy is especially important in Cincinnati, where energy costs can be high due to extreme temperatures.
When building his Passive House, Scott focused on using high-quality, sustainable materials that would be both durable and low-maintenance. “The two pieces of the house that I absolutely splurged on are this siding and the roofing,” he says. The home features oxidized wood siding, a natural material that is resistant to bugs, rot, and weathering, making it both eco-friendly and long-lasting.
Scott also invested in a copper roof, a material that will require little upkeep over time. “It’s one of those things where again, I’m never going to have to touch it,” he explains. The copper will develop a beautiful patina over the years, adding to the home’s unique aesthetic while minimizing future maintenance needs.
"A Passive House had not been certified in Cincinnati before, and part of it is the kind of the tricky climate system that I said that we have to battle in order to get it to work here."
The Technology: Comfort and Efficiency in Every Corner
The house is equipped with an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) system, which ensures that the air inside remains fresh while maintaining a comfortable temperature. The ERV system “pulls in all of the air from inside of the house, passes it over a double filter to exchange the heat energy and the humidity with the fresh air that it is pulling from outside.”
This system not only improves indoor air quality but also helps regulate temperature and humidity, making the house comfortable throughout the year. Scott notes the difference: “After you put the ERV system in, you realize how much more comfortable it is living in a house like this than one with huge temperature swings.”
Additionally, the home features triple-paned windows and an induction cooktop, both of which contribute to the house’s energy efficiency. “We know [the induction cooktop] uses so much less fuel than a gas range,” Scott says, reflecting his commitment to minimizing energy consumption in every aspect of the home.
The Cost: A Smart Investment for the Future
Building a Passive House does come at a higher upfront cost—Scott estimates about 10% more than a traditional home. “Mostly your cost is in insulation and then the labor to make it airtight,” he explains. “It took four or five solid days of the crew coming around after we did our first lower door test, and me saying it needs to be better. They went around and they caulked everything.”
The process was meticulous, with every joint and seam carefully sealed to ensure the home was airtight. “Imagine, before you put the drywall on, and you’re seeing a stud frame house, they caulked every joint between every stud, between every piece of plywood.”
While the initial cost is higher, Scott believes the long-term savings are well worth it. A Passive House minimizes energy bills and provides greater durability and comfort for its residents.
“There are lots of developers who are just out there to make money; I’m here to find good solutions,”
Building for a Sustainable Future
Scott Hand’s Passive House is a shining example of how thoughtful design, quality materials, and cutting-edge technology can create a home that’s energy-efficient, durable, and comfortable. As Cincinnati continues to embrace sustainable development, Scott’s work serves as an inspiring example of how we can build smarter homes for the future.
“I’m here to find good solutions,” Scott says, and his Passive House is a testament to the power of those solutions. Through projects like this, he is not only building homes for today but also setting the stage for a more sustainable tomorrow.
If you’re interested in learning more about landbank success stories and how these projects are helping to shape a greener, more sustainable Cincinnati, visit our Landbank Success Stories page for more inspiring projects.
The Landbank’s Historic Structure Stabilization program preserves landmark structures in our community by preventing further deterioration. This ensures these historic buildings are safeguarded for future reuse and redevelopment, maintaining their significance and potential. More information about the programs available from the Hamilton County Landbank is available at www.hamiltoncountylandbank.org/how-we-help/our-programs/.
To view available Landbank properties click here.